Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind

In Unwinding Anxiety, Dr. Judson Brewer makes a compelling argument that mindfulness is more than a trend—it’s an ideal treatment for many mental health problems, from depression to anxiety and addictions. Brewer considers anxiety and depression to be closely related mental conditions because of the way they both rely on rumination. He explains, “[D]epressed individuals seem to be so good at perseverative thinking habit loops that two-thirds of them also meet the psychiatric diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. This commonality between depression and anxiety is an example of perseverative thinking” (88). Some people seek medication to help them cope with their anxiety and depression, and while the author does not discourage this approach, he points to evidence that suggests that mindfulness may be more effective than antidepressants.

In support of Brewer’s prioritization of mindfulness over medication, the author claims that, statistically, if slightly over five people take an antidepressant, only one of them will experience an effect. In contrast, only an average of 1.6 people need to use mindfulness for it to have an effect on one person. Brewer points to the encouraging results of his own study, explaining, “After two months of using the Unwinding Anxiety app, people with